Six-goal drama as Celtic taste Fraser Cup victory

Connor Regan puts the ball past Delting's keeper Brian Johnson to score Celtic's first goal during the Fraser Cup final at Fraser Park. Photo: Kevin Jones

A six-goal thriller was played out in Scalloway last night – as Celtic came from 2-0 down to win 4-2 after extra time and take the Fraser Cup to Lerwick.

Both teams looked hungry from the off – with Delting making good runs forward and Celtic asking questions of their opponents.

Within minutes the heavens had opened – but it failed to dampen the searing pace of Delting’s number 10 Gary Sutherland.

The nippy frontman took first blood on 14 minutes – after latching on to a break down the left.

But he still had a lot to do, and showed great composure to nestle the ball in the bottom corner with a clean, low strike past Celtic keeper Paul Grant.

Delting had another chance within minutes – following a nice through-ball from Leighton Flaws – but were unable to make it two and the ball sailed over the bar.

Celtic responded quickly down the left wing, driving forward and drawing out keeper Brian Johnson, but they were unable to get a clear shot on goal.

A number of set pieces followed for the boys in green and white as Celtic went in search of a leveller.

But a clearance from the Delting back line fell to Sutherland – who again made the most of the opportunity he was given – cooly knocking the ball past the onrushing keeper to make it 2-0 inside the half hour mark.

Celtic began to fight back though, and were getting some joy down the right side.

A pinpoint free kick from the right wing by Jamie Duffy was curled deep to the back post and met by the foot of Connor Regan – the number eight finishing off the move in style to give Celtic a foothold in the game with about 15 minutes of the first half to play.

And it was Celtic who looked the more likely to grab another before the break – cannoning shots into the Delting box.

The second half opened with a good tempo of play from both sides.

Celtic’s Tom Moncrieff and James Aitken were driving forward in search of a second goal – though Delting almost made it three – when Flaws blasted a shot against the feet of Grant on 56 minutes.

Lightning-quick forward Haydn Thomason had been causing problems for the Delting defence all game.

And a menacing run into the box from Thomason saw the keeper dive bravely to the ground.

Celtic were rewarded with a penalty, although questions were raised by the crowd as to why the referee called it.

Regan stepped up and made it 2-2  – tucking the ball away for his second of the game, mid-way through the second half.

Delting seemed to go a little flat after the equaliser and both teams pushed for a winner to avoid extra time.

The Delts came close with a long-range effort as the 90 minutes drew closer, but this was tipped over the bar by Grant.

However the deadlock couldn’t be broken and an extra 30 minutes was needed to find a winner.

Celtic were threatening more in the extra period and Thomason was still showing plenty of energy up front.

A long ball met the Celtic number nine  – who burst forward and hit a terrific shot in off the post to make it 3-2 Celtic before the end of the first half.

Delting looked brighter in the second period – with some nice passing and quick feet from substitute Dylan McKay.

But Celtic put it beyond doubt after Thomason relieved the pressure with a run down the right to earn Celtic a corner.

Thomason then knocked in a header from the cross to seal the game for the Lerwick side.

For more coverage see next week’s Shetland Times.